Screens are part of everyday family life. Most young children use screens in some form and for many parents they can be a useful tool for learning, entertainment and staying connected with family and friends.

However recent government guidance highlights that while screens are now a normal part of childhood, how, when and what children watch matters.

The first five years of life are a crucial time for brain development. During these early years, children learn best through talking, playing, exploring, moving and spending time with caring adults.

What Does the New Guidance Recommend?

Children under 2 years

• Avoid screen use where possible.
• Video calls and shared activities with a parent or carer are okay.
• Focus on face to face interaction, play, singing, reading and conversation.

Children aged 2 to 5 years

• Aim for no more than one hour of screen time each day.
• Avoid screens during mealtimes.
• Avoid screens during the hour before bedtime.
• Choose age appropriate, slower paced content.

Why does it matter?

Research suggests that too much screen use can reduce the time children spend:

• Talking and communicating with others
• Playing and being physically active
• Reading books and listening to stories
• Developing attention and concentration skills
• Getting the sleep they need

Studies have also found links between very high levels of screen use and delays in language development. Early years professionals have reported that some children are now arriving at school expecting books to work like tablets, attempting to swipe or tap pages rather than turn them.

Not All Screen Time Is the Same

The quality of screen use is just as important as the amount.

Better choices:
✓ Watching together and talking about what you see
✓ Slower paced, age appropriate programmes
✓ Video calls with family members
✓ Interactive content that encourages conversation and learning

Try to avoid:
✗ Fast paced, social media style videos
✗ Endless scrolling content
✗ Screen use during meals
✗ Screens as part of the bedtime routine
✗ Young children using devices alone for long periods

Watch Together When You Can

Children learn more when adults join in. Talking about what is happening on screen, asking questions and making connections to real life can help support language, thinking and understanding.

Simple questions such as:

• “What do you think will happen next?”
• “Can you spot the red car?”
• “How do you think that character feels?”

Can turn screen time into a shared learning experience.

Simple Screen Swaps

Small changes can make a big difference.

Instead of a screen, try:

• A bedtime story before sleep / Looking at books together
• Singing songs together
• Drawing or colouring
• Simple board games
• Outdoor play
• Talking about your day at mealtimes

You don’t have to be perfect. Even a few small screen free moments each day can support your child’s development.

A Message for Parents and Carers

Parenting in the digital age can be challenging. The aim of this guidance is not to blame or judge families, but to offer practical support. Every family is different. Focus on creating healthy habits, spending time together and making screen use as positive and purposeful as possible.

Remember: Talk more. Play more. Read more. Connect more.

These everyday interactions are some of the most powerful ways to support your child’s development.

Useful links

1001 Critical Days Foundation
www.1001criticaldays.com/press-releases/from-teddies-to-tablets-press-release

BBC News Article: Is screen time always bad and how do I manage it?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crk1e11ek8vo

The Conversation Article: UK parents urged to curb fast‑paced screen content for small children – neuroscientist who advised government explains why
https://theconversation.com/uk-parents-urged-to-curb-fast-paced-screen-content-for-small-children-neuroscientist-who-advised-government-explains-why-278732

Department for Education: New advice for parents on screen time for young children
https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/new-advice-for-parents-on-screen-time-for-young-children/

For many of us, sunshine means outdoor adventures, playground fun and family days out, but for young children, that same sunshine can pose serious risks if we’re not careful. Children’s skin is far more delicate than adults’ and even a single episode of sunburn can cause lasting damage.

The good news? Most skin cancers are entirely preventable through simple, everyday actions. By teaching sun safety early, both at home and in nurseries, we can help children develop habits that protect them for life.

Here’s everything parents and practitioners need to know to help children enjoy the sunshine safely.

Why Sun Safety Matters So Much in Childhood

• Most lifetime UV exposure happens before age 18.
  That means the sun safety habits we teach in the early years have a huge long-term impact.
• Children’s skin is thinner and more sensitive.
  It burns more easily and takes less time to damage. Even mild sunburn in childhood can double the risk of developing skin cancer later in life.
• You can’t always feel UV rays.
  UV radiation is invisible and can still cause harm on cloudy or breezy days, so protection is needed even when it doesn’t feel hot.

The “Five S’s” of Sun Safety

The Five S’s are a simple and memorable way to keep children protected:

1. Slip on protective clothing – choose lightweight, loose-fitting clothes that cover shoulders, arms, and legs.
2. Slop on sunscreen – apply generously and reapply every 2–3 hours, or more often if children are sweating or playing with water.
3. Slap on a wide-brimmed hat – it should shade the face, neck, and ears. Legionnaire-style hats are perfect for younger children.
4. Slide on sunglasses – children’s eyes are more vulnerable to UV damage too, so use wraparound styles with 100% UV protection.
5. Shade from the sun – especially between 11am and 3pm, when UV levels are at their strongest.

Sunscreen: What You Need to Know

• Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
• SPF 30 or higher is ideal for children.
• Apply before going outside, ideally 20 minutes in advance, and reapply every 2–3 hours.
• Don’t forget often-missed areas: ears, neck, tops of feet, back of knees, and under straps.
• Check expiry dates — sunscreen loses effectiveness over time.

Top tip: For nursery-aged children, label a bottle of sunscreen with their name and keep it in their bag for easy reapplication.

Clothing & Accessories

When choosing summer clothes, look for:

• Tightly woven fabrics — if you can see through it, UV rays can too.
• Long sleeves and longer shorts — especially during midday playtimes.
• UV-protective swimwear for water play or beach trips.
• Sun hats with neck flaps for younger children who love to run around.

Planning Outdoor Play

Outdoor play is vital for learning and development, so instead of avoiding sunshine, plan ahead to make it safe:

• Check the UV index daily (many weather apps include it). When it’s 3 or above, it’s time to use sun protection.
• Create shaded areas in gardens or playgrounds with canopies, umbrellas, or natural shade.
• Adjust outdoor times — plan the most active play for morning or late afternoon.
• Encourage self-awareness — help children notice when they feel too warm, tired, or need a drink.

Hydration is Key

Children lose fluids faster in warm weather. Encourage:

• Frequent sips of water throughout the day.
• Easy access to bottles — personal labelled cups or bottles help children stay hydrated independently.
• Fruits and veggies high in water content, like cucumber, watermelon and oranges, as part of snack time.

Teaching Sun Safety Through Play

Sun safety doesn’t have to be serious, it can be fun!

Here are some ideas for parents and practitioners:

• Storytime: Read books about sunshine, weather, or holidays, and talk about staying safe.
• Role play: Create a “beach day” indoors and let children practise putting on hats and sunglasses.
• Songs and rhymes: Invent a simple “Slip, Slop, Slap” song to sing before going outside.
• Science play: Explore shadows and light with torches or sunlight experiments.
• Art and craft: Decorate sun hats or design posters reminding everyone of the Five S’s.

Building Consistency Between Home and Nursery

Children learn best through repetition. When parents and practitioners use the same routines, children internalise them quickly.

Try:

• A “sun hat station” near doors or garden areas.
• A sunscreen chart showing reapplication times.
• Sending gentle reminders home about sun cream, water bottles, and spare hats.
• Talking about why we protect our skin, helping children understand, not just follow rules.

Lead by Example

Children copy what they see! When adults model good habits, wearing hats, applying sunscreen and seeking shade, children see that sun safety is normal and important.

Every time we demonstrate positive behaviour, we’re giving children a skill that could protect their health for life.

The Takeaway

Sun safety isn’t about restriction, it’s about empowerment. By building knowledge, habits and awareness early, we’re giving children the confidence to enjoy the outdoors safely and happily, now and in the future.

☀️ Teach it early. Model it often. Make it fun. ☀️

—————————————————————————————–
Happy Days Nurseries Partner with SKCIN to Champion Sun Safety Education Across the Early Years Sector

At Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools, we know that childcare is one of the biggest expenses families face. The good news? The government offers a range of funding options to help make high-quality early education more affordable and the support is only growing.

In this blog, we’re breaking down everything parents need to know about funded childcare in England: who’s eligible, how to apply, what it covers, and the extra support available.

Who’s Eligible for Funded Childcare?

The government has expanded funding in recent years, meaning many more families now qualify for help.

Here’s how it works:
From 9 months old: Children of working parents/carers may be eligible for funded hours.
From age 2: Funding is available for children of working families receiving certain benefits.
From age 3 and 4: All children automatically receive 15 hours of funded childcare, regardless of income and many working families can access up to 30 hours.

Funding begins the term after your child’s birthday. For example, if your child turns three in October, their funding starts in January.

These entitlements are designed to make returning to work or balancing family life a little easier, supporting families right up until school age.

What Counts as a “Working Parent”?

To qualify for funded hours for under 3s (and the extended 30 hours for 3–4s), each parent/carer, or the single parent/carer in a household, must:
Earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at minimum wage (around £9,500 per year) and earn less than £100,000 per year.
There are some exceptions, such as if a parent is on maternity or parental leave, or has a disability.

How to Apply and Key Deadlines

Applications for funded childcare are made through the government’s Best Start in Life website (formerly known as Childcare Choices).

You’ll need to:
Create an online account.
Enter details like your National Insurance number and employment status.
Receive your code. Once approved, you’ll get a unique “funding code”, this is what you share with your nursery so they can claim your child’s funded hours.

Important Deadlines

Applications must be completed the term before your child is due to start using the funding:
31st August (for funding starting in September)
31st December (for funding starting in January)
31st March (for funding starting in April)

You’ll also need to reconfirm your details every three months to keep your code active. If you forget, your funding could be paused, so look out for reminder emails from HMRC (they sometimes end up in your spam folder!).

If your circumstances change, for example, if one parent/carer loses their job, don’t panic. There’s usually a grace period while you get back on track.

What Funding Covers (and What It Doesn’t)

One of the biggest misconceptions about funding is that it covers everything. In reality, the government funding only covers the education and childcare hours themselves, not the additional services nurseries provide.

At Happy Days, we’re transparent about this. The funding doesn’t include:

• Meals and snacks
• Nappies and wipes
• Sun cream
• Enrichment activities

To keep things simple for families, we offer our SHINE package, which includes all these extras, so there are no hidden costs and everything your child needs is taken care of.

You can also combine funding with Tax-Free Childcare to make things even more affordable. For example, you might use your funded hours for your core nursery sessions, and use Tax-Free Childcare to help pay for meals or additional days.

Stretching Funded Hours Across the Year

The government funding is based on 38 term-time weeks, like the school year. But most nurseries, including Happy Days, are open all year round.
To make this work, we can “stretch” your funded hours over 51 or 52 weeks.

That means instead of receiving 30 hours per week term-time, you’d receive around 22 hours per week all year round, the total number of funded hours stays the same, just spread out evenly.

This flexibility helps families plan for consistent childcare without breaks during school holidays.

FAQs: What Parents Ask Most

Can I split my funded hours between two providers?
Yes! You can divide your entitlement between, for example, a nursery and a childminder. You just can’t claim more than your total allowance overall.

What happens if my income changes?
If your income drops below the minimum, your funding code might stop renewing, but you’ll usually get a grace period. If your income rises above £100,000 (per parent), you’ll no longer be eligible.

Can self-employed parents/carers apply?
Yes, absolutely, you’ll just need to confirm you expect to meet the minimum income threshold across the year.

Are grandparents or guardians eligible?
If they’re the child’s legal guardian and meet the criteria, yes.

Are there other types of financial support?
Yes and many families don’t realise they can combine schemes. These include:
Tax-Free Childcare (the government adds 20% to your childcare account)
Universal Credit childcare support
Disability Access Funding
Early Years Pupil Premium (to support children from lower-income families or with additional needs)

It’s always worth checking your eligibility through the Best Start in Life website, as many parents/carers qualify for more than they expect.

Making Childcare Affordable and Transparent

At Happy Days, we want every family to feel confident and informed about childcare costs. Funded hours can make a huge difference, especially when combined with the right support schemes and flexible options.

If you’re unsure what you’re entitled to, talk to your nursery manager or visit:

👉 Affordable Childcare – Happy Days Nursery
👉 www.beststartinlife.gov.uk (England)
👉 Childcare Offer for Wales | Help With Childcare Costs Wales | GOV.WALES (Wales)

And remember, while funding helps cover your child’s early education, choosing the right nursery means investing in their happiness, development, and confidence, something we’re proud to support at Happy Days every day.

This episode is going to answer any outstanding questions you may have on the new Government funding, we will be talking about universal credit, sustainability charges, tax free childcare and frequently asked questions.

We understand that the cost of childcare can represent a significant portion of your outgoings. We want to ensure all our families are receiving the support they are entitled to.

Welcome back to another episode from the Happy Days Nursery podcast, this season is on affordable childcare and the government funding available. On our last episode we covered funding for 2 year olds, but what is the situation for 3 & 4 year olds? 

In this episode we’ll be talking about the government funding available for 3 & 4 year olds. We will be discussing eligibility, how to apply and our tops tips!

Welcome back to another episode from the Happy Days Nursery podcast, this season is all about affordable childcare and the government support available. On our last episode we covered funding for 9-23 month olds, but what about the 2 year olds? 

In this episode we’ll be discussing the government funding available for 2 year olds. We will be discussing eligibility, how to apply and our tops tips!

Welcome back to another season of the Happy Days Nursery Podcast. This time we’re talking all about the new Government support available to help with the cost of childcare.

The financial support that is available to parents to help with the cost of childcare is increasing in England. These include major changes to make it easier for parents with
childcare responsibilities to move into or take on more paid work. Starting from April 2024, existing childcare support will be expanded in phases. By September 2025, working parents with children aged 9 months old to when they start school will be eligible for 30 hours childcare support.